The Cincinnati Bengals haven’t won an NFL playoff game since January 6, 1990. They beat the Houston Oilers—right there, that tells you it was a long time ago—by a 41-14 score in the wild-card round of the AFC playoffs. Since then, the Bengals have lost all five postseason contests they’ve played in. That needs to change this weekend.

First place is on the line in the air tight AFC North as the Browns visit the Bengals on Thursday night. Considering the Browns are involved, that’s hard to believe-remember, Cleveland hasn’t posted more than five wins since 2007.

It’s a poorly-kept secret that the Seattle Seahawks don’t mind taking a penalty flag or two for pass interference or defensive holding in exchange for five or six no-calls on borderline plays. Supposedly, the NFL will be cracking down on physical play in the defensive backfield. If true-and that’s a big if-it could mean even bigger numbers for the quarterbacks.

The primary focal point of pretty much every football team is the quarterback. Some teams have an elite quarterback they want to keep around for as long as possible. They are set at the position, and they don’t worry about anything other than injury or retirement. Then, there are the teams that know they have a problem under center. Their quarterback won’t cut it, but they have to wait to get the opportunity to improve.

Make it 24 straight years since the Cincinnati Bengals have won a playoff game, and their loss to the underdog San Diego Chargers marked a disappointing end to yet another successful season. There was a lot of hope and promise, but now the focus is on who will stay and who will go.